A newly discovered small mammal from Madagascar lays eggs, has a cloaca, and shows electroreception through its snout. Molecular phylogenetics places it basal to all other living mammals. Based on these characters, which one of the following groups can it be assigned to?

Correct option is C

Correct Answer
(c) Prototheria (monotremes)
Explanation
The organism lays eggs, possesses a cloaca, and shows electroreception—features that are characteristic of monotremes. Molecular phylogenetic placement as basal to all other living mammals further supports this assignment. Eutherians and metatherians give birth to live young and lack cloaca and electroreception, while Theria excludes egg-laying mammals.
Information Booster
• Monotremes are egg-laying mammals
• Presence of cloaca is a primitive mammalian trait
• Electroreception is found in platypus-like mammals
• Basal position indicates early divergence in mammalian evolution
Additional Knowledge
Option (a) is incorrect because placental mammals are viviparous and lack cloaca.
Option (b) is incorrect because marsupials also give birth to live young.
Option (d) is incorrect because Theria includes only marsupials and placentals, excluding monotremes.